After a cancer diagnosis, it's hard to know where to turn. Family and friends may not understand all the swirling emotions and questions, and physicians often lack the time or a gentle bedside manner. That's where the Hawthorne Cancer Resource Center can help.

The Hawthorne was made possible by a generous bequest from county residents Bill and Barbara Hawthorne who both died of cancer. They directed the Johns Foundation to use the money for community cancer resources. Robin Yoder, an oncology counselor at CJW Medical Center, wrote the proposal for the Hawthorne and ultimately founded the center.

"As a cancer survivor, I understood the need for a common site where cancer patients can network and find resources, support and fellowship," said Yoder.

She also knew the Hawthornes personally.

Opened in January 2001, the Hawthorne was decorated to look as nonclinical as possible. The artwork and style reflect Barbara's whimsy.

"We chose an ocean theme because we believe everyone feels a sense of peacefulness around water," says Yoder.

Not only does it have a peaceful setting, but it provides resources all under one roof rather than the scavenger hunt of finding books and information on your own.

"Their energies need to be better spent thriving and living," explains Yoder.

Everybody is welcome at the center, even Yoder's dog, which she usually brings with her to work. Children or grandchildren of patients have a play area to entertain them, and they supply artwork for the kitchen refrigerator.

"They make this their home, and they know if we move anything," Yoder remarks.

Open to the public, the Hawthorne is staffed by volunteers and open Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CJW Medical Center's Johnston-Willis campus donates the space to the center.

"You do not have to be a patient here, it just happens to be housed on its campus," Yoder states.

Tracey Tatum is the breast cancer coordinator and genetic educator for CJW and is on-site daily at the Hawthorne.

"If all we can do is provide you with a comfortable space on a day that you have a lot of tests and may not have time to go home, then that's worth the whole center being here," says Yoder.

They invite people to hang out there. One visitor had a sister in California going through the disease.

"We helped her to find the right information and tools, so she could be empowered by the knowledge and share in what her sister was going through," Yoder

recalls.

In addition, visitors can use the lending library, pick up cancer education materials, peruse the Internet, receive counseling or participate in a support group. Yoder runs all of the support groups held at the center.

Shelves housing hundreds of wigs and hats from their "loaning closet" line the far wall of the Hawthorne's large conference room. A local ministry donates hand-knit afghans that are draped on each conference room chair.

A salon sink and chair is placed in the kitchen, where a volunteer stylist will come in as needed to help cancer patients with hair care.

Any cancer-related organization can hold functions at the center.

"It helps us expose more people to the resources here," states Yoder.

She contemplates, "The only way we are limited is in how you limit your imaginative thinking."

For more information, visit www.thehaw thorne.org.
Need support?
The Hawthorne offers several
support groups:
Breast cancer survivors
Wednesdays, 6:30-8 p.m.
For anyone living with a breast cancer
diagnosis
Cancer survivors
Mondays, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
For anyone living with a cancer diagnosis
Caregivers
Wednesdays, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
For anyone with a loved one with cancer
Gynecologic oncology
First and third Thursday of each month,
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
For anyone living with a gynecological
cancer
All support groups are free, and no
registration is required.

In their fight against cancer, Bill and Barbara Hawthorne bequeathed money to the Johns Foundation to provide a resource center for all cancer patients in the community. Johnston-Willis Medical Center, through a five-year lease, donated space on its campus to house the center.

The Johns Cancer Foundation is a nonprofit organization established in the mid-1960s to offer financial and educational support to cancer patients who live in or obtain treatment in the city of Richmond and surrounding counties. Johnston-Willis, a 282-bed medical center in Chesterfield County, provides comprehensive oncology services through its Virginia Cancer Treatment Center.

	endowing a nursing oncology scholarship annually at John Tyler Community College
	sponsoring training for skilled technicians in advanced cancer treatment technology
	promoting continuing education of nursing and medical staff and volunteers by funding cancer lectureships at conferences

creating a flexible fund for helping needy cancer patients pay for home care equipment rental or expenses of everyday living when the high cost of cancer treatment makes ordinary bill-paying unusually difficult

Emotional Support

	funding patient/family lending libraries with free tapes and books at cancer treatment centers
	making audio and video tapes available to promote better patient and family understanding of prevalent treatment techniques
	underwriting bereavement/support groups in hospitals and clinics
	supporting hospice activities and services

Girls Just Want to Have Fun!

One recent balmy spring weekend sixteen members of The Hawthorne Cancer Resource Center’s breast cancer support group headed for the beach. Their mission? To relax, have fun, and share in the common bond that has united them. All of them have survived the treatments for breast cancer. The sun, sand, ocean waves, seagulls, and salt air helped to restore their psyches and offered a calm environment for reflective thoughts.

This is the second such retreat for the support group, which meets Wednesday nights at The Hawthorne Center. A cancer survivor who attends a different group at the center owns The Seafoam Motel in Nags Head, N.C. This location was the perfect place for the retreat. Each room was oceanfront, with the water only steps away from the motel. A beachfront gazebo provided a convenient gathering spot for anyone who wanted a shady place to hang out and socialize.

On Friday night the group met for dinner. A good time was had by all, as they indulged in such dishes as crab cakes, catch of the day, and fish and chips.  Saturday many of the women chose to lounge on the beach. Chatting, knitting, and reading were some of the favored activities while they soaked up the sun and were entertained by the active seagulls. Others spent their Saturday shopping the outlet malls or meandering the beach highways. That night they all gathered on the motel patio for a delicious take-out barbeque dinner from Souey’s Barbeque. A little music from the boom box and a few uninhibited dancers and a party game made for an enjoyable evening!

Sunday morning sixteen women reluctantly packed up their cars and prepared for the drive home. They all agreed that it was a perfectly fun, restorative weekend!